My wife and I are thinking about visiting New Zealand and would like to hear from others about the best months of the year to visit. Any suggestions on places and things that you think we must see while there are also greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I can only answer the first part - late February through March and early April seem ideal.
To get to the second part- how long are you going for, what are your interests, what makes you want to go in the first place? How sporty outdoorsy are you? Do you rappel, scuba dive, hang-glide, bungee-jump? NZ is big on those. Or are you museum people? Hikers? Like to be driven around with a guide? Drive yourselves? And on and on.
We are both retired and are not into vigorous physical activity. I am 65 and my wife is 62. We are both in good physical condition for our ages. We like to hike and we enjoy museums. We also enjoy driving ourselves. However, we will go with a guide if it is the best option. We love nature and are very much interested in seeing New Zealands's animal and plant life. We also enjoy architecture and history.
In Response to Re: Best time to visit New Zealand:[QUOTE]
I can only answer the first part - late February through March and early April seem ideal.
To get to the second part- how long are you going for, what are your interests, what makes you want to go in the first place? How sporty outdoorsy are you? Do you rappel, scuba dive, hang-glide, bungee-jump? NZ is big on those. Or are you museum people? Hikers? Like to be driven around with a guide? Drive yourselves? And on and on.
Posted by mquartz[/QUOTE]
OK, that covers quite a range.
Driving is fun as soon as you switch your senses to the "other" side of the road.
For alpine scenery, glaciers, mountains, that sort of thing, look to the south of the south island.
For Hawai-like subtropical scenery look to the north of the north island, where the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
are a hugely rewarding attraction. See www.waitangi.org.nz
There's a scenic train that goes up and over from Christchurch, www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz/tranzalpine
Rotorua is a popular spot - it stinks of sulphur, for miles when the wind blows, but if you can handle that, the
boiling mud etc. might amuse you.
We liked the museum in the former bath house and resort, quite a stunning buiiding,
Not far from there is the pretty Lake Taupo.
In Wellington the Te Papa museum is a must.
Napier is a neat town, all rebuilt, after a fire, in art nouveau style. Go up on the Bluff Hill lookout, and
if wine is of interest, there's plenty being grown nearby.
And so it goes - lots of good memories from several trips, off the top of my head.
Guidebooks are highly recommended - it is not a big country but you need to read up and form a plan.
